na-adjective, noun
cruel; inhumane; callous; brutal
Describes a person, attitude, or action that is coldly cruel, lacking compassion or mercy. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼の酷薄な言葉に、彼女は深く傷ついた。
She was deeply hurt by his cruel words.
歴史には酷薄な支配者の記録が多く残っている。
History holds many records of callous rulers.
Compound of 酷 (cruel, severe) and 薄 (thin, meager), suggesting a lack of warmth or compassion. The variant 刻薄 uses 刻 (carve, cutting) with a similar figurative sense. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.